Using DAR Datebases



1800 Sgt lawrence everhart The DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) is a free resource provided by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This organization dates back to the 1890s and has a strong membership over the decades. The GRS is a collection of databases from the massed family history of its members over the years.

There are two forms of the databases. The first is ‘Ancestor‘ which is gathered from the verified information on member’s families. A wide assortments of ancestors can be a part of this databases covering centuries, not just those who served during the 1770s and 1780s. On the form online from the DAR, complete as much as possible about a specific American Revolutionary patriot. For the Ancestor Number, just place a ‘1’. If there is a spelling variation, it will be suggested, so do try those when searching. Once a person is located there will be quite a deal of information (spouse, dates, locations, children). See if it matches with what you know of the Revolutionary War ancestor. Especially with the list of children and their spouses, you will find an icon (or two) titled ‘document’. Click on each to view what is available. Even when the same child is listed a couple times, click on each icon for any new information.

The second type is titled ‘Descendants‘ which is an index of descendants (those grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc) of patriots from the American Revolution. This database has some 7.1 million names. Here you will find the lineage as it passes from child to child over the years. When you see several listings for the same one ancestor, it means that several people have completed applications with that person as their ancestor and they are a descendant.

Go the top tab titled ‘Resources’ and if you did located an ancestor patriot you should be able to find then the pension card image; one either for the patriot and / or their widow. The web site for the DAR provides further information about acquiring copies of the information and even how you can join the DAR.

Photo: A sketch in 1800 of Sgt. Lawrence Everhart of Maryland, a soldier during the American Revolutionary War with information on the DAR’s databases.

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